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Walker Jackson posted a blog post

Moment of Truth for U.S. Manufacturing

If the U.S. continues to neglect the manufacturing sector, output could fall by half to meeting less than 40 percent of the nation’s demand, according to a new study by Booz & Co. and the University of Michigan’s Tauber Institute for Global Operations, Manufacturing’s Wake-up Call. The study was compiled using analysis of U.S. industrial competitiveness with a survey of 200 manufacturing executives and experts.The authors point out three significant findings:1) Contrary to popular…See More

Aug 29, 2011

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Walker Jackson posted a blog post

Adapt to Economic and Technological Changes

Manufacturing has the potential to be part of the nation’s economic recovery and future. In order to adapt to economic and technological changes, our manufacturing industry must make the decision to pursue constant innovation. Two important criteria must be initiated:1) Streamline innovation and growth services targeted to manufacturingAll to often, U.S. manufacturers, and businesses in general, operate in silos that stymie collaboration. Why is it that manufacturers can’t connect…See More

Jul 30, 2011

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Walker Jackson posted a blog post

Characteristics of Successful Manufacturers

Four interconnected responses to change have emerged among successful manufacturers:Innovating constantly to adapt to economic and technological changes;Embracing green and green lean;Recognizing and navigating opportunity in the global value chain; andDeveloping and retaining current and future talent. (provided by Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board) Our office (Auburn Technical Assistance Center), along with federal, state and local partners are working with companies…See More

Mar 26, 2011

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Walker Jackson posted a blog post

The Talent Driven Firm

Manufacturing firms identify talent as one of the top issues impacting their competitiveness. Knowledge and skills development is often done through education and training programs. Today’s firms acknowledge a need for individual workers to gain knowledge and skills within and across firms through social and professional networks and through experimentation and innovation. This drives the next generation of research and development employees. The primary source of value for companies is…See More

Mar 12, 2011

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Walker Jackson posted a blog post

Appealing to Generation Y Workers

What if young workers thought of manufacturing for what is truly is:Producing products that will be solutions to major challenges in our world;Producing products that Generation Y will relate to (such as automobiles and energy drinks);Producing products that require high-tech skills andOffering premium jobs.What if young workers thought about their careers in terms of occupations, skills and learning opportunities rather than as being in an industry silo? Companies of all sizes should consider…See More

Feb 25, 2011

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David Hicks commented on Walker Jackson's blog post Develop and Retain Current and Future Talent

"This is a great concern for many employers. As fewer willing folks enter the manufacturing workplace, competition for the best employees increases. We are hosting a two-day seminar called: "Toyota Culture- The People Side of Lean." This…"

Feb 16, 2011

Walker Jackson left a comment for Joseph T. Dager

"Hey Joseph, Just a short note thanking you for your positive comments on my blogs (on the Auburn Works website). If you're ever in this part of the country, please look us…"

Feb 16, 2011

Walker Jackson posted a blog post

Develop and Retain Current and Future Talent

Despite the economic downturn and a perceived lack of jobs, survey data of manufacturers indicates that skills shortages still exist – especially for the most profitable companies and for skilled production workers, scientist and engineers. The survey also identified that having a highly skilled, flexible workforce remains critical to business success and that new product innovation is now seen as the most important driver of business success, which also requires a highly skilled, flexible…See More

Feb 12, 2011

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Walker Jackson posted a blog post

Value-Added Manufacturing

A challenge for manufacturers trying to compete in the global economy is the increasingly blurry line between manufacturing and services. Based on a recent survey of over 10,000 manufacturing companies, including 24 foreign companies, it appears that the majority of manufacturers are adopting a range of strategies that make their products more marketable:Suppliers take on more responsibility for retail, distribution finance and logistics;Manufacturers attach services to the product for the…See More

Feb 3, 2011

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Walker Jackson posted a blog post

Globalization

Globalization for a manufacturing firm can range from:· Global production: multiple operations in globally distributed locations;· Global sales and distribution: selling to customers in multiple locations and· Global supply chains: linkages and collaborations with other firms or organizations in multiple geographic locations.Many believe that for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) the first option (above) is not feasible and the latter two options confound small suppliers that often lack…See More

Dec 3, 2010

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Walker Jackson commented on John David Hayes's blog post Is the word "profit" in your company's mission Statement?

"This is a great reminder for any size company, long-established companies as well as start-ups."

Dec 3, 2010

Walker Jackson posted a blog post

Manufacturing It Here or Over There

Success in the global marketplace for manufacturers looks different depending on the sub-sector and the size of the company. Manufacturers think about globalization, off-shoring and the supply-chain in different ways. For example, some firms are finding that as expertise develops overseas they have even more reason to send design, development and production across the world. Other manufacturers are moving production and design back to the U.S. as transportation and logistics costs of supply…See More

Nov 19, 2010

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Walker Jackson posted a blog post

Marrying Lean With Green

Marrying Lean -- Continuous Improvement -- with Green Process Concepts opens up additional opportunities to help the balance sheet. Companies that embrace lean and green production processes are seeking to reduce their environmental impact while simultaneously increasing their efficiency, productivity and profitability. Typically this is being done through reduction of total energy use, waste sent to landfills, greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption, among other negative environmental…See More

Nov 5, 2010

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Walker Jackson posted a blog post

The Green Domino Effect

E3 – Economy, Energy and Environment – is a coordinated federal and local technical assistance initiative that is helping manufacturers across the nation adapt and thrive in a new business era focused on sustainability. E3 serves as a unique model by working directly with the local manufacturers, utilities and business communities and streamlining the delivery of the most suitable technical and financial resources to the manufacturers.E3 is an example of how the behavior of one firm can…See More

Oct 27, 2010

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Walker Jackson posted a blog post

Green Headlines

General Electric plans to cut freshwater use 20% through reuse efficiencies in its commercial and manufacturing processes.Anheuser-Busch, by adopting efficiency efforts, managed to reduce the amount of water used to make beer and keep its water use flat: companywide water use increased 2.4% over 5 years while its beverage production climbed about 2%.72% of facility managers surveyed by Johnson Controls said they pay more attention to energy efficiency, up 10% from last year.In a 2009 survey,…See More

Oct 20, 2010

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Walker Jackson posted a blog post

Embrace Green and Green Lean

The need for firms to consider the green marketplace is expanding. The nation is at a tipping point in its conversation about environmentally friendly products and production processes. The “green wave” is inevitable with successful companies preparing to adapt to and innovate through change. It is also important to realize the potential for innovating new products that are environmentally friendly and help to minimize the impact on the environment. New products that help reduce or alleviate…See More

Oct 15, 2010

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Walker Jackson's Blog

Moment of Truth for U.S. Manufacturing

Posted on August 26, 2011 at 3:33pm 0 Comments 0 Likes

If the U.S. continues to neglect the manufacturing sector, output could fall by half to meeting less than 40 percent of the nation’s demand, according to a new study by Booz & Co. and the University of Michigan’s Tauber Institute for Global Operations, Manufacturing’s Wake-up Call. The study was compiled using analysis of U.S. industrial competitiveness with a survey of 200 manufacturing executives and experts.

The authors point out three significant…

Continue

Adapt to Economic and Technological Changes

Posted on July 29, 2011 at 3:52pm 0 Comments 0 Likes

1) Streamline innovation and growth services targeted to manufacturing

All to often, U.S. manufacturers, and businesses in general, operate in silos that stymie collaboration. Why is it…

Continue

Characteristics of Successful Manufacturers

Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:19pm 0 Comments 0 Likes

Four interconnected responses to change have emerged among successful manufacturers:

Innovating constantly to adapt to economic and technological changes;
Embracing green and green lean;
Recognizing and navigating opportunity in the global value chain; and
Developing and retaining current and future talent.

(provided by Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board)

Our office (Auburn Technical Assistance…

Continue

The Talent Driven Firm

Posted on March 11, 2011 at 5:43pm 0 Comments 0 Likes

Manufacturing firms identify talent as one of the top issues impacting their competitiveness. Knowledge and skills development is often done through education and training programs. Today’s firms acknowledge a need for individual workers to gain knowledge and skills within and across firms through social and professional networks and through experimentation and innovation. This drives the next generation of research and development employees.

The primary…

Continue

Appealing to Generation Y Workers

Posted on February 25, 2011 at 11:31am 0 Comments 0 Likes

What if young workers thought of manufacturing for what is truly is:

Producing products that will be solutions to major challenges in our world;
Producing products that Generation Y will relate to (such as automobiles and energy drinks);
Producing products that require high-tech skills and
Offering premium jobs.

What if young workers thought about their careers in terms of occupations, skills and learning opportunities rather than…

Continue